Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she has no intention of pretending to believe in God to attract religiously-inclined voters.(via RichardDawkins.net)
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd was a regular at Canberra church services and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is known as a devout Catholic.
In contrast, Ms Gillard says that while she greatly respects other people's religious views, she does not believe in God.
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On May 29, a 37-year old Maldivian citizen named Mohamed Nazim stood up during the Q & A period of a religious lecture given by Islamic scholar Dr Zakir Naik, and announced that he did not believe in any religion. The audience of 11,000 Muslims reacted violently with many calling for his death and some physically attacking him. The police intervened though and Nazeem was led away to the second block of nearby police building Iskandharu Koshi. There a crowd gathered outside and demanded the police give him to them for beheading. Instead he was whisked away to an undisclosed location, still under arrest. His apostasy was both a state and religious crime. Under the Maldives Constitution, no one can be a citizen unless he is also a Muslim and many Muslims, including the lecturer Dr. Zakir Naik, believe apostasy from Islam merits the death penalty.Read more at Pharyngula
What is the most important question there is? After exploring the phenomenon of STAR TREK fans in the acclaimed documentary TREKKIES, filmmaker Roger Nygard is taking on THE NATURE OF EXISTENCE, traveling the globe to the source of the world’s philosophies, religions, and belief systems, interviewing spiritual leaders, scholars, scientists, artists and others who have influenced, inspired, or freaked out humanity.
“I made a list of the eighty-five toughest questions I could think of,” said Nygard, “starting with biggest one, ‘why do we exist?’ and then I began interrogating the widest cross-section of humanity possible.” Here are a few more of the questions asked in the movie: What is man’s purpose? What started the Universe? Where was God during the Holocaust? What is Truth? Should people have sex before marriage? What is the best way to find happiness? Where is the afterlife? Where are the voices in my head coming from? …How would YOU answer? What journey is more important than one that takes us closer to finding meaning in our existence?
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Belgian authorities have raided the headquarters of the Belgian Catholic Church during an investigation into child sex abuse claims.
A spokesman for the Brussels prosecutors' office confirmed that the palace of the archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels had been sealed off.
Police also raided the home of retired Archbishop Godfried Danneels.
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A prominent Catholic priest, praised by Pope John Paul II as "an efficacious guide to youth," Father Marcial Maciel, sexually abused not only young seminarians under his control but also abused his own children, according to a lawsuit filed today in Connecticut by a man who claims to be Maciel's son.(Thanks Carlos)
In an interview to be broadcast Monday evening on ABC News Nightline, the priest's son, Raul Gonzalez, 30, says he thought his father worked for the CIA or an international oil company, until he saw the priest's picture in a 1997 magazine article detailing allegations of sexual abuse.
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Lou Engle appears on Rod Parsley's "Breakthrough" to discuss the desperate need for revival in America.(via Right Wing Watch)
It's alleged Scientology has avoided paying tax in the United Kingdom by claiming it is run out of South Australia.
In Britain, the Church of Scientology is supposed to pay tax on the millions of pounds it brings in each year. Now, the organisation has been accused of claiming its entire UK operation is part of its Australian outfit.
Here, Scientology is recognised as a religion and does not pay tax. It's alleged the church is using this, combined with some lax laws covering incorporated associations, to avoid paying its dues in the old Dart.
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Christopher Hitchens traces his atheism back to a nature walk in boarding school. That's when, at age ten, his scripture teacher told the class that it is God who makes the trees so green, because green is the color "most restful to our eyes." No one objected, and he says knew from that moment that religion was "rubbish." His new memoir lets us in on his long road to anti-theism, touching on his hidden Jewish heritage, famous friendships, and why he doesn't mind being disliked.(via Daily Hitchens)
A heated rally outside London's Downing Street sparked counter-demonstrations and chaos. Muslim protestors had gathered - calling for aspects of Sharia Law to be introduced into Britain.
Tim Peeler of Cleveland County, North Carolina called police after encountering Bigfoot outside his mountain home. Apparently, this particular Bigfoot was 10-feet-tall, had "beautiful (blonde) hair," and six fingers on each hand. Peeler told the Charlotte Observer that he "rough-talked him" and scared him off.(via Cynical-C Blog)
Alan Black, co-author of The Glorious World Cup, describes soccer as a powerful cultural entity. He reads a fatwa dictating adherence to Sharia law and strictly "non-Western" behavior on the field that a Saudi Arabian extremist group issued for the 2006 World Cup.
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According to Stephen Prothero, pretending all religions are the same doesn't serve to understand the world.Viewers in Canada can watch it on The Comedy Network
In this exclusive report, former senior members of the Revolutionary Guard offer a view from behind the scenes of the government following the disputed elections. A horrifying portrait from inside Iran's security institutions and prisons.(Thanks ravenzero)
In India, clan councils want the government to ban marriages within the same sub-caste. But some couples who choose love over tradition pay the ultimate price: death at the hands of their own family.
Michael Shermer says the human tendency to believe strange things -- from alien abductions to dowsing rods -- boils down to two of the brain's most basic, hard-wired survival skills. He explains what they are, and how they get us into trouble.
Black magic has been big business for years in Indonesia.
People seek help of witch doctors to fulfil their goals and dreams and remedy their problems - be it personal, financial or political.
But now there is growing fear that sorcery has gone out of control and some believe the government should regulate it.
Al Jazeera's Step Vaessen reports from Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, where she met Ki Joko Bodo, the most successful witch doctor in the country.
Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He came to UNC in 1988, after four years of teaching at Rutgers University. At UNC he has served as both the Director of Graduate Studies and the Chair of the Department of Religious Studies.
Craig Evans is the Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College of Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada. A graduate of Claremont McKenna College, he received his M.Div. from Western Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Claremont Graduate University in southern California. He has also been awarded the D.Habil. by the Karoli Gaspard Reformed University in Budapest. A well-known evangelical scholar throughout the world, he is an elected member of the prestigious SNTS, a society dedicated to New Testament studies.
Christopher Hitchens debates John Haldane on 'We Don't Do God'? Secularism and Faith in the Public Square.(via Daily Hitchens)
Pope Benedict XVI has moved a step closer to saying sorry for the scandal regarding the abuse of children by priests that has plagued the Roman Catholic church.
Benedict begged for forgiveness from God and victims in front of thousands of priests and pledged to "do everything possible" to prevent future cases of abuse.
However, it wasn't quite the apology that some had wanted.
Christopher Hitchens, tackling nearly everything with unmatched enthusiasm, erudition and, at times venom, has up to now barely touched upon one subject: his own life.
After many years writing about world issues and traveling to some of the most dangerous places on the planet, comes his memoir Hitch-22. Though Hitchens can navigate any argument with great dexterity, his memoir focuses on those whom he has loved, those he has abhorred, and those who have helped shape him throughout his life. The memoir answers this question: How the hell did Christopher Hitchens become Christopher Hitchens?
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August marks what would have been Mother Teresa's 100th birthday, with commemorative masses, exhibitions and other events around the world heralding the occasion. But count the Empire State Building out of the celebrations.(Thanks James)
New York City's tallest skyscraper has declined to shine the colorful, festive lights that it reserves for special occasions in her honor, leaving some of the nun's followers feeling slighted.
"Selection as an Empire State Building Lighting Partner is at the sole discretion of the ownership and management of the Empire State Building Company LLC," the privately owned building's website says. The site says that selection is "a privilege, not an entitlement."
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James Randi is the founder of the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). Randi began his career as a magician, but when he retired at age 60, he switched to investigating paranormal, occult, and supernatural claims, which he collectively calls "woo-woo." Although often referred to as a "debunker," Randi rejects that title owing to its perceived bias, instead describing himself as an "investigator". He has written about the paranormal, skepticism, and the history of magic. He was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and is occasionally featured on the television program Penn & Teller: Bullshit!.(Thanks Andrew)
Cultural critic - and atheist - Ayaan Hirsi Ali explores modern concepts of deities, ranging from the forgiving god of moderate Christianity to the imposing god of traditional Islam. She suggests progressive Christians should proselytize to Muslims, claiming that most Muslims are not presented with enough religious options.Complete video
Russell Blackford’s excellent talk at Embiggen Books a couple of weeks ago is now online for your viewing pleasure. Russell is an author, philosopher and literary critic. He is editor-in-chief of The Journal of Evolution and Technology, and co-editor (with Udo Schuklenk) of 50 Voices of Disbelief: Why We Are Atheists(via RichardDawkins.net). He blogs at Metamagician and the Hellfire Club, where he can be regularly engaged.
Russell’s talk focuses on why it is necessary to critique belief systems if we are to maintain the health of a secular society. Indeed some time is given to the notion that secularism has being given only lip-service recently under the current leadership of Kevin Rudd, following in the anti-secular footsteps of John Howard. He puts the continuing culture wars into an historical perspective delving deep into religious moralism and intolerance through the ages. He argues, now is a good time for atheists and others who are sceptical about religion’s claims to stand up publicly and express their disbelief.
In the Caribbean, Vervet Monkeys have developed a taste for alcohol and can regularly be spotted stealing cocktails from humans on the beach. Brilliant wildlife video from BBC animal show 'Weird Nature'.(via Pharyngula)
The Taliban has waged a violent campaign against girls who go to schools in their Afghan strongholds.
A series of attacks against schools and female students have driven many girls to go underground to receive an education.
In one attack in Kandahar in 2008, around 15 girls and teachers were sprayed with acid by men on motorbikes.
A former member of the Dutch parliament and longtime human rights advocate, Ayaan Hirsi Ali has lived in constant threat for her outspoken beliefs and collaboration with controversial director Theo van Gogh (who was murdered by a radical Islamist).Clip: Don't Blame Islamic Terrorism on Economic Woes
Her journey continues as she discusses starting her new life in America, reconciling with her Islamic past, and learning to adapt to Western values.
In tough economic times, our exploratory science programs -- from space probes to the LHC -- are first to suffer budget cuts. Brian Cox explains how curiosity-driven science pays for itself, powering innovation and a profound appreciation of our existence.
June 2, 2010 on The Brian Lehrer Show
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Massimo Pigliucci, professor at Lehman College and author of Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk(Thanks Rich), talks about the ambiguity surrounding science and why people believe "bunk" and pseudoscientific practices. He also blogs at RationallySpeaking.org and has a podcast also called Rationally Speaking.
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Ayaan Hirsi Ali wants us to shed the inhibition of judging and say that one religion is better than the other. (06:06)Viewers in Canada can watch it on The Comedy Network
Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller investigates the growing influence American evangelical groups have in shaping anti-gay laws and attitudes in Uganda.
Sister Margaret McBride was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church after she assented to an abortion involving a mother of four who might have died if she continued the pregnancy.
